I always had a weak spot for the older Paris-Dakar bikes, especially those with the multiple- cylinder engines...

I wonder, when was this bike first released? Until I have been reading this topic, I always thought the Honda XLV750R was the first V-twin enduro struggling in to the Dakar (first release: the Paris Motorcycle exhibition of 1983)

Rigoni with a 2 cylinder Guzzi 500TT raced the dakar in 1979!!!!
Fenouil raced the same year with a BMW boxer.

Morinis didn't race until 1983 even though they partecipated in other African races -eg Transafrica- before with their 2 cylinders bikes. The creation of a dual sport v twin goes back to earlier than 1983. Valentini worked on the first one in the early 80s if I am correct.

According to http://www.morini-riders-club.com/thebikes/modellist.html the 500 Camel was released in 1981. It had the best styling and lines of the Camel models. There was a version released in late 80's in the dying stages of the companies existence called the "Coguaro" which was a very nice looking bike too.

I have a 1985 501 Camel. Yes, the dual voltage electric system is downright wierd. Morini motors are really simple and pretty reliable. The 501 motor has Nikasil cylinders and one of the hotter cam grinds and is probably the pick of all the Morini 500 motors. It's a nice bike to ride but I have never done any serious dirt with it.

Did those original bikes have a front drum brake? is that what's going on with the cable and brace on the front fork?:huh

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Old school. The cables would be the speedo drive and front brake cable. The brace on the front hub does the same thing as the one on the back wheel, holds the backing plate of the drum brake in place. Some other brands later ditched the brace and used a tab on the fork to fit in a notch on the backing plate to do the same thing. It all works.
Great 2-up rough road bike regardless, and 25-30yrs before a WeeStrom.

hah - part of the deal i made to get this bike involved me trading off a spare 501 motor i had (i have no more spares!)...i am looking for 2 later bulge type transducers and some other little bits for some sports...

also, they are definitely great 2 up bikes, but kickstarting a bike with passenger on is a pain...

i'm contemplating a few serious long distance back road jaunts this winter - maybe trailer it to nc or sc and ride a few days to ga/n.fla/etc. and back. then trailer it back to wv... (no, i am not gonna ride it down to sc in 30 degree weather.)

I am currently deeply infatuated with the moto morini Camel, haha I am hoping this strange desire goes away, so my vstrom isnt worried it will be sold. But where should I start looking for one of these bad boys?

I presume you are talking about the 501s and if so they show up from time to time on ebay. The are rare and often snapped because of their nikasil engine for a replacement with earlier street morini bikes.

if you are talking about the first series (MK1-MK2 and MK3) then it is almost impossible to find one and the ones i know are in the hands of collectors or Morini big time afecionados. BTW I sold mine few months ago after i posted on the for sale section.